9-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive Tour of Iceland’s Snaefellsnes Peninsula & South Coast

On your second day, you'll leave the comforts of Reykjavik and drive northwest to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The peninsula, 85 miles (136 kilometers) away, is a favorite amongst locals and travelers due to its wealth of natural features and breathtaking panoramic views.

Snaefellsnes Peninsula is often called 'Iceland in Miniature' due to the incredible diversity of scenery along the 56-mile (90-kilometer) stretch. You'll spend your entire day heading from one fantastic site to another and immersing yourself in the local culture.

On the way to Snaefellsnes, you'll drive past many of West Iceland's most notable sites. Feel free to detour to destinations such as Barnafoss and Hraunfossar waterfalls, Reykholt town, and Europe's highest-flowing hot spring, Deildartunguhver.

Another stop you could make is the historic town of Borgarnes, nestled on the banks of the Borgarfjordur fjord. 

Upon reaching Snaefellsnes, you'll have multiple stops to see its most spectacular attractions. You can begin by visiting Budir black church and Arnarstapi. Budir is one of the most photographed churches in Iceland because of the panoramic lava fields, mountains, and coasts surrounding its black walls.

Arnarstapi, on the other hand, is a coastal village renowned for its dramatic cliffs, rugged coastline, and picturesque surroundings. Behind Arnarstapi is Mount Stapafell, providing a stunning backdrop of mountains against the Atlantic Ocean that will captivate you.

Meanwhile, two of the most exciting stops on the peninsula are the Snaefellsjokull glacier volcano and Kirkjufell mountain. As you move from one site to another, you'll notice Snaefellsjokull towering in the distance with its peak of 4744 feet (1446 meters).

Other notable attractions in the area include Hellnar village, the black-pebble beach Djupalonssandur, and the coastal town of Stykkisholmur.

You'll spend the night in one of the cozy accommodations on Snaefellsnes Peninsula. If the sky is clear, look up for a chance to witness the northern lights dancing above.

On day three, you'll leave Snaefellsnes for Iceland's most popular tourist trail, the Golden Circle. There are three main sites of the Golden Circle, although, with your custom itinerary, you can find many unique and lesser-known places in the surrounding area.

The first destination is the Thingvellir National Park, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Icelandic mainland. It was here where the Icelandic parliament was founded back in 930 AD.

Besides its significant history, the national park boasts a rich geology that every visitor will enjoy. It sits directly between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, creating many unique landscapes such as the Silfra fissure, Oxararfoss waterfall, and Almannagja gorge.

The second point on the circle is the Geysir geothermal area. This valley is home to several geysers, including the one that gave all others their name, Geysir. Although Geysir is inactive these days, its neighbor Strokkur goes off every 5-10 minutes, reaching heights of around 66 feet (20 meters). 

The final site to reach is Gullfoss, Iceland's most famous waterfall. Gullfoss is a sight to behold, falling two steps into an ancient canyon from over 105 feet (32 meters). In winter, certain parts of the waterfall become frozen, adding more allure to this already beautiful cascade.

Today, you'll have the option to partake in one of two tours. While in Thingvellir, you could take a snorkeling tour in the crystal clear waters of Silfra ravine to discover the aqua-blue underworld between two continents. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

You could also join a caving tour in a lava tube called Vidgelmir, where you walk the path of the smoldering hot lava created over a thousand years ago. Both guided tours are fascinating, unique experiences that you can only experience in Iceland.

Spend the night at your accommodation on the Golden Circle.

On day four, you'll head to the South Coast and witness the many wonders along Iceland's Ring Road. This region is one of the most visited areas in the country not only for its sightseeing highlights but also for its proximity to Reykjavik.

The first sites you may wish to stop at are two of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls. 

Seljalandsfoss is a stunning waterfall that tumbles in a thin stream from a concave cliff. Skogafoss waterfall, a bit further east, is a similar height, at around 200 feet (60 meters), but with a much heavier flow. Both cascades become even better during winter when snow and ice swarm their cliffs and surrounding valleys.

You'll keep driving on, but keep your eyes peeled as you do. In clear weather, you can see the notorious glacier volcano Eyjafjallajokull. In the other direction, across the ocean, you can spot the Westman Islands.

More ice caps will soon appear, and if you wish, you may join a guided tour atop one of them. 

You can choose from a hike on the glacial tongue of Solheimajokull or a snowmobiling excursion on the mighty Myrdalsjokull glacier. Both these experiences will take you to an incredible, otherworldly landscape dotted with snowy plains, ridges, and crevasses.

After enjoying one of these adventures, you'll continue east. Before reaching the village of Vik i Myrdal, you can stop at the Reynisfjara beach to admire its long stretch of black sands, basalt cliffs, and sea stacks. Just remember to stay away from the waves, as they're massive and dangerous.

After a day of driving along the South Coast's most beautiful sites, you'll enjoy a night's sleep in your cozy South Iceland accommodation. If the conditions are right, you can see the northern lights shine above you.

On day five, you'll drive the rest of the South Coast into the Vatnajokull National Park, the biggest glacier in Europe. This ice cap is so massive that it covers at least 10 percent of Iceland's landmass. If you look at printed or online maps of Iceland, you'll see Vatnajokull covering most of the southeast region.

This mighty ice cap in Southeast Iceland is renowned for its size and stunning features, particularly the Skaftafell nature reserve and the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

Skaftafell was once a national park in its own right because of its incredible beauty before the enormous Vatnajokull National Park enveloped it. It's a popular destination for adventurers and nature lovers thanks to its wealth of scenery, from forests to lava fields, with many hiking trails intersecting its valleys. 

One of the most highly recommended trails will take you to Svartifoss waterfall, the unusual surroundings of which inspired the architecture of Reykjavik's Hallgrimskirkja church.

If you missed the glacier hike the day before, opting for one here is possible.

Following your time in Skaftafell, you'll continue your drive to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, which many consider the crown jewel of Iceland's nature. You can watch enormous icebergs fill a serene lagoon as they break away from a glacier before moving slowly toward the ocean. 

The sight is mesmerizing. This area is also home to many seals, so as you marvel over the bergs, keep an eye out for these playful creatures.

The coast beside Jokulsarlon is dotted with the ice that washed out to sea, giving it its name, the Diamond beach. It's worth walking along and taking photos in this area before continuing to your accommodation in Southeast Iceland.

Before enjoying a good night's sleep, don't forget to head outside for a chance to spot the aurora borealis.

On day six of your winter drive in Iceland, you'll have more time to explore the natural wonders of the Vatnajokull glacier. If you add a guided activity on this day, you'll visit an authentic ice cave deep in the frozen landscape.

First, you can make a slight detour to the Stokksnes Peninsula. This beautiful headland edged by the Atlantic Ocean is known for its distinctive Vestrahorn peak, towering overhead at 1490 feet (454 meters).

If you push a little further, you can even visit some of the fishing villages of the Eastfjords. However, if you booked the ice-caving tour, you can drive back to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon or see one of Vatnajokull's outlet glaciers.

Ice caves are rare and unique phenomena that only appear in winter. Thus, opportunities to explore them are minimal. Inside the caves, you can see ice walls and formations with different colorations, with some ice chunks dating back thousands of years. 

Make sure you bring a camera to commemorate this unforgettable experience. No two ice caves are the same because these winter highlights melt and freeze with the seasons.

Besides expert guides leading you inside the cave, your package includes glacier gear like a helmet and crampons. These pieces of equipment will ensure your safety while exploring this wondrous natural attraction.

You could otherwise return to the glacier lagoon to better appreciate it and perhaps take a boat trip for close-up views of the icebergs. If you choose the boat trip, you'll be granted the unparalleled experience of navigating through the floating icebergs, offering a surreal perspective of these majestic ice giants. This experience leaves many visitors feeling both humbled and awe-inspired.

Alternatively, visit Skaftafell and try another hiking trail. A short track leads to Skaftafellsjokull glacier, which changes from a pearly white color to an unbelievable shade of blue in the winter.

Stay another night in Southeast Iceland, with a chance to hunt for the northern lights.